Ystrad Mynach dance centre strikes gold twice in Paris

2:39pm Wednesday 8th January 2014

A DANCE centre from Ystrad Mynach is celebrating one of its most successful years after recently winning two gold medals at the World Dance Championships in Paris.

New Cottage Dance Centre won gold at the adult formation event in the Latin American dance category, while also scooping the top award in the under 12s Latin American in the couples category, at the annual event in Disneyland Paris in early December.

He said: “It was a huge event, with more than 2,500 people having entered all the events.

“Neither [of the gold medals] were expected really but we knew both had been dancing well in recent competitions.

“It’s one of the biggest competitions in the world, and because it’s open to anybody the best people go. We’ve been going for five years now but this year was probably the best because we won two golds.

“It’s a lot of hard work looking after all the teams but it’s worth it.”

Mr Perry’s son, 15-year-old Lloyd, also finished third in the Latin American dance category for couples under 16s, and will be travelling to Los Angeles in February to receive further dance training.

His father added: “You’re very proud as a coach obviously, but it’s great as a parent as well.

“At the centre we teach everyone from raw beginners to world champions, and everyone is welcomed. We have five or six other teachers apart from myself, Kay, and my mother.

“Hopefully they can progress now if they want to. It’s a bit like rugby with the ages and development, and you just progress until you reach the top I guess.”